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- 16 -

In the United States, there are hundreds of political prisoners who

are incarcerated, awaiting trial, serving a sentence or otherwise
detained for acts, beliefs, or associations in opposition to the
US government or corporations. Many were active in the Black,
Chican@ and Native Liberation movements, identify as New
Afrikans and/or were members of anti-imperialist organizations in
solidarity with national liberation movements. These are people
from diverse communities who have committed to struggling
against racism, the continued dispossession of indigenous land,
patriarchy, colonialism, militarism, and other forms of oppression.
This packet represents a selection of solidarity statements from
political prisoners in the United States to prisoners in Palestine.

***

In memory of these US political prisoners who passed away in

prison
or within days of their release:
Merle Africa
Phil Africa
Kuwasi Balagoon
Marilyn Buck
Angel Rodriguez Cristobal
Bashir Hameed
Teddy Jah Heath
George Jackson
Wopashitwe Mondo Eyen we Langa
Sam Melville
Hugo Pinell
Herman Wallace
Albert Nuh Washington
Warren Wells
Richard Williams

- 16 -

March 2016 - Anonymous

All the progressives and revolutionaries in the world dedicate their lives to
the same hopes and dreams. We all stand for social justice and liberation
in Palestine, the U.S., and the entire world. We all stand for freedom for
Palestinian political prisoners and all political prisoners!
In addition, anyone who has spent any time incarcerated in the U.S. fully
understands the oppression that people of color, and especially Black
people, face in this society. We recognize the racism that they face, the
dehumanization, the fact that so many were incarcerated for non-violent
crimes, the poverty, the refusal of this government to understand the
socio-economic and psychological conditions that are the cause of the
vast majority of alleged crimes in this country.
The Israeli government portrays the Palestinian political activist as a
criminal and a terrorist, which makes incarceration doubly hard; but in
Palestine, at least prisoners have a shared national liberation struggle
when facing the prison guards and administration. Here in the U.S., the
political prisoner has to work very hard with other prisoners to build a
shared struggle. When relationships are built with other incarcerated
people, the prison authorities move you away to isolation in a freezing
cold cell, extremely small, with no access to blankets, warm clothes, or
human contact. The only thing visible from the isolation cells is the light
bulb outside. The door is made of thick glass with only a small opening
for food to be sent through. It is hard to choose the worst thing about
isolation, because the whole experience is bad. The most frightening thing
is the feeling that they truly want to destroy you or turn you into a tool,
like a remote control that responds to their requests and their orders.
The whole system of incarceration is designed to destroy peoples
humanity and make them despair and feel hopeless. Humans are social,
so to be in isolation not only cuts you off from other people, but also
affects you by cutting you off from yourself. It destroys you emotionally,
psychologically, and spiritually, and makes you feel as if you are no longer
wholethis is the deadliest thing.
That is the toughest challenge being a political prisoner, or a prisoner
of any kind in the U.S. But challenges are not frightening, because as
long as we believe in our rights and the principles that we stand for,
have confidence in ourselves, and rise up together, we become stronger
and more effective. Then we can achieve miracles. People in the U.S.
and all across the world support our Palestinian rights of return, selfdetermination, independence, and freedom for Palestinian political
prisoners. Prisoners in the U.S. especially send their love, respect, and
honor to prisoners in Palestine. Despite all challenges, collective victory
for U.S. prisoners and Palestinian prisoners is in our future.

- 15 -

Critical Resistance stands in deep solidarity with those fighting for Palestinian liberation, and particularly with Palestinian political prisoners. As
an organization that seeks to build an international movement to abolish
the prison industrial complex, we understand that our struggle is one
against oppression, colonization, and state violence globally.
We have made strong connections to Palestinian liberation within our
fights against policing, imprisonment, and surveillance. In 2011 and
2013, we supported prisoners who organized historic hunger strikes in
California prisons while Palestinian prisoners, who were also on hunger
strike against their Administrative Detention, sent powerful messages of
solidarity. We have also supported those in the US who are targeted for
US-based Palestine solidarity activism and we see the ways in which our
struggles are international. The beautiful solidarity between movements
in the U.S. and Palestine is growing exponentially, and we remain committed to building strength and international support across our borders.
Until Liberation,
Critical Resistance

- 14 -

We must always stand together, fearless & unified against any intruder
who tries to take our lives, our families or our freedom!
-Merle Africa, a political prisoner from the MOVE organization who died
in a U.S. prison under suspicious circumstances in 1998
The California Coalition for Women Prisoners wishes to express our
strong solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for self-determination
and sovereignty and with the thousands of Palestinian men and
women prisoners who are on the front lines of resistance against
Israeli occupation. Since 1995, our organization has been dedicated to
challenging the racist and sexist violence of the U.S. prison industrial
complex, particularly as it impacts women and transgender prisoners.
Merle Africas words, embedded in our logo above, resonate with the
determination we see emanating from Palestinian prisoners. We reject
the shared strategies that Israeli and US prisons utilize to dehumanize
and torture our loved ones, our leaders, and our communities. The
resilience of people forced to live under such terrible conditions fuels
the spirit of resistance in our movements. We trust that the Palestine
Prisoner Solidarity Delegation will contribute to mutual understanding
and invigorate solidarity across walls and borders.

- 13 -

Palestine
The Palestinian Freedom Movement is in many
ways similar to the Black Freedom Movement
in the US in that prison is an inescapable part of
the struggle.
Here we are the naked face of the empire raw, racist, violent and
unerringly destructive. For, in an imperial system, the very notion of
freedom is not just oppositional it is an anathema.
It is heresy. It is from the statist, Zionist perspective treason.
Think of that: Freedom is Treason.
Wow!
For Palestinians, under the Zionist fever of mass incarceration, their very
existence is a threat to the Zionist project.
For the two are not compatible and never will be.
That said, can we suppress freedom for expediency?
Put quite another way, how can we ever suppress freedom?
That is the essence of the Palestinian freedom struggle freedom or
repression? Liberation or death?
We must opt for freedom. Always. Always.
I am always on the side of freedom. Always. And forever.
Always.
Mumia Abu Jamal (in prison since 1981)

- 12 -

Remembering a 15 Year Old Palestinian Woman in Prison

Chained to the Bed Springs - She Had Refused to Stop Singing
by Marilyn Buck - Summer 1988
chained for singing
clear minor notes
still her song soars
skyward
women sing songs
lullabies lovesongs
blues songs
chants of exiled lives
and martyrs death
voices search out sounds
not yet noted on bars
not yet ordered on scales
to bring down walls
to raise Palestine, free
Marilyn lived most of her adult life in controlled, restrictive spaces: from
clandestinity, to prisons, to control units within prisons. Yet within those
spaces, she developed a richly imaginative, expansive view of human
liberation, and built a bridge to a world we hunger for but have yet to
create. She died just days after being released from federal prison in
2010.

- 11 -

As a Jew born at the end of World War II, the event that
loomed over the very formation of my consciousness
was the Holocaust. For me, for many of us, there was a
paramount lesson carved deeply into the twin tablets
of morality and history: racism is the greatest evil that
leads to the most hideous inhumanity. Others drew the
opposite conclusion and embraced Zionism on the basis
that Jews need a state of our own regardless of the
cost to others. While Jews had good reasons to build a
foundation for survival and development, the necessary
concessions were due from the imperial anti-Semitic
powers. Never should such security be achieved by oppressing other
people. Never. Identifying with the West, Israel, from its inception, has
served as an aggressive forward military base for U.S. imperialism in
the oil-rich Middle East--a spearhead for keeping reactionary regimes in
power and promoting chaos and divisions throughout the region.
Zionism has been an ongoing process of occupation and colonization of
Palestine. As the examples of the U.S. and apartheid South Africa show,
settler colonialism generates the most fulsome forms and practices of
racism. For Palestine that includes the over 5 million persons, half of
their nation, living in exile; the thousands of people killed and wounded
by the Israeli military; the criminal strangulation of the Palestinian
economy and public health infrastructure; the turning of Gaza into
essentially an open-air prison for 1.8 million people; the widespread
illegal practice of preventive detentions; and more.
I cant even begin to grasp the results in terms of pervasive and
mounting humanitarian crises that are so horribly painful. At the same
time Palestine is an incredible inspiration as people have found creative
and courageous ways to build resistance, including the brave resilience
of the youth; the local demonstrations to tear down the apartheid wall
erected to cut off Palestinian villages; and the resonating call by some
175 organizations of Palestinian civil society that initiated the Boycott,
Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) of Israeli colonialism. This now global
campaign includes demands to stop Israeli racism, end the occupation,
and uphold the right of all Palestinians to return to their homeland.
The Palestinian struggle for self-determination and sovereignty is a
matter of the most urgent and fundamental solidarity; it is also a frontline struggle for justice for all of us.
David Gilbert, January 2016
(anti-imperialist political prisoner since 1981)

- 10 -

Even though we have been in prison for over 37

years, we have never and will never give up the
fight for freedom.
Our fight is your fight because we want all of life to
be free from the restricting confines of this system
that causes so much pain and suffering.
We feel the tide is turning in the right direction every time we see
groups of people working together for the common good of all living
beings.
The power is in the people and the people have to realize this and use
this power to free life, protect life. Life is the force that keep us alive.
Stay strong and were doing the same.
Ona Move
Janet, Janine and Debbie Africa - for all the MOVE 9
***
To Comrades, from a comrade
Revolutionary Greetings,
My name is Robert Seth Hayes, a former member
of the Black Panther Party (1969-1971) and a
captured and convicted member of the Black
Liberation Army (1971-1973). I reside and have
spent the better part of 42 years incarcerated as
a Political Prisoner, Prisoner of War.
The beat goes on as injustice prevails. Like you, I remain committed
to the struggle- to introduce change that develops, prospers, and
enhances- freedom, justice, universal love, unity, equality and liberation
to all as we all strive for the future.
Sorry to appear as if I were making a speech. But I wanted to be clear.
One Love Revolutionaries.
Robert Seth Hayes (In prison since 1973)

-9-

They cannot take away our self-respect if we

do not give it to them. - Gandhi
A brief statement of solidarity to our sisters
and brothers in Palestine
There are many people worldwide who do
not realize that, unlike Nelson Mandela, i spent more than 27 tortuous
years on Indianas death row. Even though i am no longer laboring under
a court judgment of death, i am indeed still fighting for my dignity and
economic security.
Not once have i allowed my rights of actual freedom (free mind) and
physical liberation slip away from my vision. i am not only focused
on myself or my narrow personal goals, but also on the greater
responsibility that essential knowledge gives me to make a qualitative
difference in the lives of people.
Just war is permitted only for self-defense and defending basic human
rights. By all accounts, i must continue striving full steam ahead for
turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
i would like for you to continue advocating for me, as i am advocating for
you the Palestinian people.
Zolo Agona Azania #4969 (In prison since 1981)

-8-

To the Palestinian Independence Movement

From Jalil Abdul Muntaqim - BPP/BLA Political Prisoner
Solidarity in the Face of Adversity
March 2016
As Salaam Alaikum
It gives me great pleasure to be able to share a few
words of solidarity based on our mutual struggle opposing racism and
colonial oppression.
I have been in U.S. prisons for 44 years, one of the longest held political
prisoners in the world, for activities and involvement in the former
Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army. Since my imprisonment
in 1971, I continue to be active in terms of educating prisoners, writing
books, essays and articles, and finding innovative ways to contribute in
exposing U.S. imperialism and its insidious support of Zionism. Naturally,
I support the movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
challenging Israels occupation of Palestine that should be equated as
Apartheid.
I was captured at the age of 19 years old, an expectant father, and now
a 64 year old great grandfather. I have been before the parole board
8 times, and each time denied release because of the nature of the
crime the death of two police officers, a situation that time will never
alter. While I was sentenced to 25 years to Life in 1975, the continued
denials are tantamount to life without parole. Obviously, the prison
and parole system operates with impunity, and in violation of its own
mandates. Hence, it is the political nature of the conviction that is the
principal reason for these denials. I share these insights in my case
in order to let you know my life struggle in many ways parallels the
struggles of your own political prisoners.
Furthermore, as a revolutionary Muslim (note: I oppose the
indiscriminate killing by ISIS and Al-Qaeda, et al.), the foundation of our
solidarity bridges ideological and national boundaries of our struggles.
We are mutual allies. Therefore, it is only natural for me to express
solidarity, as we forge our common humanity to oppose racist and
colonial oppression wherever it may be found.
May Allah (SWT) grant you mercy and success from your tormentors,
strengthening your resolve to build a future of peace and love for the
next generations.
Mas Salaam - Revolutionary Love and Unity,
Jalil Abdul Muntaqim

-7-

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the ancient land of Palestine,

Osiyo (hello)
In the 1990s I studied theology for four years. I read all the ancient holy
books/texts. I studied many world views and religions.
I studied about the false state of Israel. I read about their secret Nuke
program. That the people occupying my land helped the Zionists build.
And lie about and hide.
I believe that Israel is doing to your people what the Americans did to
my people. They are infected with an evil very much alike. (a very similar
evil)
We must be positive and focus on the faith to overcome these
hypocritical monsters as well as their lies. These monsters who hurt us,
then lie to the world and falsely claim we hurt them. And so thats why
they attack us. Thats what they do to us Native, Indigenous peoples
here in Turtle Island the real name of this sacred land. This is not
America that is one of the lies of the occupier just a small reality of
the vast pile of their deceptions.
Yes, we must be positive. We are truly good people, fighting tooth and
nail against a monstrous system of destruction and genocide.
So be strong my Brothers and sacred Sisters of Palestine. Be endlessly
vigilant.
Love and power,
Oso Blanco, Byron Shane Chubbuck
(In prison since 1999)

-6-

and cultural domination has overworked itself, yet our spirit remains
unbowed. And weve been enslaved longer than weve been free.
We suffer mass-incarceration, racial profiling and unrelenting police
violence. We endure; we bide our time. For we know nothing lasts
forever. Thus we affirm that no daylight exists between the AfrikanAmerican and Palestinian struggle in resisting the racist, oppressive
violence that occupies, that kills, that imprisons us here and you over
there. Our struggle is one.
Accordingly, as we go forward, as you speak comparatively of israeli
social policies that resemble the racist South African apartheid regimes
social policies, I would urge that you speak also of the similarity
between the Afrikan-American and Palestinian struggle. The comparison
is effective; it resonates. Both our hardship and casualties originate from
the same source; our communities are stressed; our men and women
have been captured, tortured, imprisoned, or killed. Our families suffer;
our children experience uncertain tomorrows. You dont fight alone; our
struggle is one, and we build to win.
Solidarity forever,
Herman Bell
***
I Am Oso Blanco
Freedom power movement
I am the river, I am the land.
I am the moment in a blood-soaked land.
I am Native and the moment is ancient, our burial
mounds are 10,000 years old, before the occupation of
our land.
I am native, Aniyunwiya, or Cherokee to the world who
know me not.
Freedom power movement
I am the living river that destroys the Mexican family.
I am the bloody Rio Grande, the sacred mud in my veins, the line through
the sand.
I am the sacred river that rips, separates and imprisons family and
culture.
Yet I am the womb water that rebirths the endless warrior Eagle Knight
Who will not accept this border, who will not give up the fight.

-5-

To the Palestinian people:

Greetings and solidarity!
From Herman Bell, U.S. Political Prisoner, since
1973.
You dont fight alone!
I have followed, supported, and I continue to
follow and support your heroic struggle to rid
Israeli occupation of your homeland. Almost daily we hear of israeli tank
shells and missiles firing into your homes, your hospitals, and school
buildings; we see pictures of broken bodies being dug from the rubble.
Whole neighborhoods and vital resources: food, water, electricity are
decimated. So much death, bloodshed, and destruction when seizing
and occupying other peoples land, an old narrative that
Indigenous people the world over know so well.
The international community does nothing throughout this occupation
of your land; it sits on its hands, laments the destruction and loss of
life and does nothing. I feel the beat of your seething heart. And during
periodic lulls throughout this decades-long occupation, when even
the occupiers seem sated from their bloodlust, you rise up from your
magnificently dug tunnels firing off salvos of your own bootleg missiles
into the towns and hamlets of the occupiers. Your creative resistance
to this occupation is so reminiscent of the Vietnamese peoples spirited
resistance to u.s. occupation during their war of national liberation.
When having shot down a heavy u.s. B-52 bomber, they built iron bars
around it with a sign saying: We caged this beast!
Freedom loving people the world over support your struggle, support
your courage and fortitude in resisting this occupation. For we know
that while heads of governments in the international community
posture, gesture, and pronounce empathetic words, they speak but
one language, the language of the occupier, which is why they will
neither condemn nor prevent this ongoing carnage and continued israeli
occupation of your land. For that, the Palestinian people have to look to
themselves. But you dont fight alone.
Afrikan-American people here in North America support you and
know occupation well. Here the local and national police force are
our occupiers. Throughout some three-hundred years of tyrannizing
the soul and body of the Black community, americas pervasive racism

-4-

The cover drawing is by Marius Mason - formerly Marie Mason. Marius

Mason is a long-time activist in the environmental and labor movements.
In March 2008, he was arrested by federal authorities for charges related
to two acts of property destruction that occurred in 1999 and 2000; no one
was injured in either of them. He was sentenced to just under 22 years.

-3-

The Freedom Archives * www.freedomarchives.org

Cover art: Political Prisoner Marius Mason